Stephen ‘tWitch’ Boss, dancer, DJ for ‘Ellen DeGeneres Show’ dead; cause revealed
Stephen ‘tWitch’ Boss dead at 40 File photo: Stephen Boss attends Critics Choice Association's 5th Annual Celebration Of Black Cinema & Television at Fairmont Century Plaza on December 05, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Critics Choice Association) (Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Critics Choice )
By Lauren Silver, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
LOS ANGELES — Stephen “tWitch” Boss, known for his work on “So You Think You Can Dance” and the “Ellen DeGeneres Show” has died. He was 40.
Update 9:16 p.m. EST Dec. 14: According to a report Wednesday from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner the cause of Stephen “tWitch” Boss’ death was a gunshot wound to the head, the Los Angeles Times reported. The coroner said Boss died by suicide Tuesday at a Rodeway Inn motel in Encino, according to the newspaper.
-- Bob D’Angelo, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
In a statement to People, Boss’ wife, Allison Holker Boss, confirmed the star’s death, saying, “It is with the heaviest of hearts that I have to share my husband Stephen has left us. Stephen lit up every room he stepped into. He valued family, friends and community above all else and leading with love and light was everything to him. He was the backbone of our family, the best husband and father and an inspiration to his fans. To say he left a legacy would be an understatement, and his positive impact will continue to be felt. I am certain there won’t be a day that goes by that we won’t honor his memory.”
In one of Boss’ last posts on Instagram, he wished his wife happy anniversary, and shared a number of photos from the couple’s wedding day.
Boss, known as “tWitch” rose to fame as part of the cast of “So You Think You Can Dance,” in which he was the runner-up in 2008, according to TMZ.
He went to join DeGeneres’ talk show, first as a guest DJ in 2014 before eventually being named a co-executive producer in 2020, USA Today reported.
Actress Mira Sorvino remembered Boss on Twitter, saying, “his joyful talent lit up our hearts from the time my kids were small. Hold your loved ones dear!! This life is not promised to anyone.”
At the end of her statement to People, Holker Boss shared a message for her husband, saying, “Stephen, we love you, we miss you, and I will always save the last dance for you.”
Note: If you, or someone you know, is thinking of harming themselves, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides free support via the Lifeline by dialing 988. For more about risk factors and warning signs, visit the organization’s official website.
Stephen ‘tWitch Boss’ through the years LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 04: Stephen "tWitch" Boss attends the 4moms Car Seat launch event at Petersen Automotive Museum on August 4, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Tommaso Boddi/Getty Images for 4moms) (Tommaso Boddi)
Stephen ‘tWitch Boss’ through the years SAVANNAH, GA - OCTOBER 26: (L-R) Actors Joe Manganiello, Adam Rodriguez and dancer Stephen Boss pose for a photo backstage during Matt Bomer Spotlight Award Tribute at Trustees Theater on Day Two of the 17th Annual Savannah Film Festival presented by SCAD on October 26, 2014 in Savannah, Georgia. (Photo by Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images for SCAD) (Andrew H. Walker)
Stephen ‘tWitch Boss’ through the years HOLLYWOOD, CA - JUNE 08: Dancer Stephen "tWitch" Boss attends the world premiere of Disney-Pixar's 'Finding Dory' at the El Capitan Theatre on June 8, 2016 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) (Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
Stephen ‘tWitch Boss’ through the years HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 14: In this image released on October 14, tWitch speaks onstage at the 2020 Billboard Music Awards, broadcast on October 14, 2020 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) (Kevin Winter/Getty Images for dcp)
Stephen ‘tWitch Boss’ through the years NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 16: Stephen "tWitch" Boss attends 2022 Fox Upfront on May 16, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images) (Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images)
Stephen ‘tWitch Boss’ through the years HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 28: Allison Holker and Stephen Boss attend the Los Angeles premiere screening of "Velvet Buzzsaw" at American Cinematheque's Egyptian Theatre on January 28, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images) (Emma McIntyre/Getty Images)
Stephen ‘tWitch Boss’ through the years LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 26: Actor Stephen 'Twitch' Boss (C) attends the Timberland and American Rag present MarkMakers on March 26, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Tommaso Boddi/Getty Images for Timberland) (Tommaso Boddi)
Stephen ‘tWitch Boss’ through the years LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 24: Dancers Stephen 'tWitch' Boss attends LEXUS Live on Grand hosted by Curtis Stone at the third annual Los Angeles Food & Wine Festival on August 24, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ben Horton/Getty Images for Los Angeles Food & Wine Festival) (Ben Horton)
Stephen ‘tWitch Boss’ through the years HOLLYWOOD, CA - JUNE 11: (L-R) Allison Holker, Maddox Laurel Boss, and Stephen Laurel "tWitch" Boss attend the world premiere of Disney and Pixar's TOY STORY 4 at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, CA on Tuesday, June 11, 2019. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney) (Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney)
Stephen ‘tWitch Boss’ through the years HOLLYWOOD, CA - SEPTEMBER 04: Allison Holker and Twitch attend the Premiere Of Warner Bros. Pictures' "The Nun" at TCL Chinese Theatre on September 4, 2018 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Tommaso Boddi/Getty Images) (Tommaso Boddi/Getty Images)
Stephen ‘tWitch Boss’ through the years HOLLYWOOD, CA - APRIL 19: Dancer Stephen Boss at The World Premiere of Marvel Studios Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. at Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, CA April 19th, 2017 (Photo by Rich Polk/Getty Images for Disney) (Rich Polk/Getty Images for Disney)
Stephen ‘tWitch Boss’ through the years HOLLYWOOD, CA - MARCH 08: Dancer Stephen "Twitch" Boss attends the premiere of Warner Bros. Pictures' "Kong: Skull Island" at Dolby Theatre on March 8, 2017 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) (Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
Stephen ‘tWitch Boss’ through the years HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 25: Allison Holker and Stephen "tWitch" Boss and family attend Illumination and Universal Pictures' "Minions: The Rise of Gru" Los Angeles premiere at TCL Chinese Theatre on June 25, 2022 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images) (Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images)
Stephen ‘tWitch Boss’ through the years LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 05: Stephen Boss attends Critics Choice Association's 5th Annual Celebration Of Black Cinema & Television at Fairmont Century Plaza on December 05, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Critics Choice Association) (Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Critics Choice )